Sunday morning at dawn, I was treated to a beautiful winter sunrise. The horizon to the east looked as if it had been kissed with hues of pinks. The colors stretched across in ribbons of ever-brightening sky, treating the onlooker to a beautiful picture. I do miss the green foliage of spring and summer, but their lack offers me opportunities of viewing these sunrises to the east. And then at dusk, as I turn to the west, another panorama of color greets me to end a beautiful day. Even the rainy weather that followed that evening did not dampen the uplifting feeling brought on by that beautiful scene.
Our library has some interesting programs coming up in the next few days. On Saturday, Jan. 23, from 2:30 to 3:45 pm, come and connect on the subject of fossils. Dr. Fred Hotchkiss will bring an assortment of the fossils he takes to Vineyard classrooms. He hopes to engage you using these materials. Please feel free to bring fossils that you would like to show or to ask about.
On Thursday, Jan. 28, Jay Schofield, author and Vineyard resident, will discuss his book, “Beach Detecting in Surf & Sand,” and the art of metal detecting, including authentic treasure hunting success stories. The book talk will take place from 6 until 7:45 pm.
We send birthday smiles to Buddy deBettencourt, Michael Blake, and Paul Buckley on January 23, followed by Joe Peters, Megan Klein, and BJ Bailey on the 24th, Wayne Barrett and Julia Bettencourt on the 25th, and Caroline Davey on the 27th.
The news of the earthquake in Haiti has had far-reaching effects especially for our Island volunteers for the Fish Farm for Haiti Project. They have learned that the Fish Farm project in Lilavois is intact, but the Ste. Marie in Canapé Vert and the school in downtown Port-au-Prince have not faired as well. All the buildings in the compound and the Mother House of the Daughters of Mary Queen Immaculate have either collapsed or are too perilous to live in. The Sisters are sleeping in a tent in the courtyard. The front half (the older section) of the school in Port-au-Prince collapsed. One thousand girls attended classes in this school. Luckily the earthquake started at 4:53 pm, when classes were out.
The Sisters, in their blue nuns’ habits, were a familiar sight a few years ago when they made a short visit to the Island to assist in the fundraising for the farm. There are many organizations that you may donate to in order to assist in bringing help to this devastated country. Among them are the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, and Doctors Without Borders. Please consider helping out if you are able to.
Remember when the Carousel was called the Flying Horses, the Gazebo was the Bandstand, and who among you knows where Noepe Hill is?
Enjoy your week.
Peace.
